France

France, or formally the 3rd Republic of France is a liberalist Western European nation. Despite its powerful overseas empire, many have seen the cracks begin to form, not just as African nationalism rises but also back at home, as the once fringe syndicalist movement has gained attraction since the 30s, and since the late 20s so has the French monarchist party.

France in the early 1900s
France, despite its turbulent time in the 1800s has emerged as a growing power, expanding in Africa and Asia alike. Although they were powerful, they still had astringent opposition parties, such as the monarchists and syndicalists who wished to overthrow the current status quo. However, the republicans remained in power with no problem, until the Great War.

France during the Great War
France during the Great War was under immeasurable pressure. They had to keep the fighting going, and if they collapsed it almost met death for the entente. But as the years progressed, it became clear the entente would win. The balkans were slowly being liberated by the entente and by early 1917 the Russians began to push the Germans back. In summer of 1917 the entente finally began to push back on the western front. Finally, on November of 1917 the Germans surrendered to the entente. The republicans feared that if they lost the war it would mean the opposition parties could involve themselves in a civil war, but the end of the war diminished popularity for the opposing parties on all sides. The subsequent treaties were signed, and France and Britain split German overseas colonies. But, the worst was yet to come for the French.

1918-1921
The last years of the 1910s were very unexpected. Thanks to the Cairo War breaking out in 1919, the British repeatedly pleaded with the French to join the war. But since much of northeast France was damaged by the war France refused to participate. When the war ended in 1921, the French were very uneasy. A syndicalist revolution swept Germany and they won, which bolstered support for the syndicalists even though some prominent ones left for the Weimar Republic to spread syndicalism to the masses. But now, a potentially overpowering leftist state bordered France. Not to mention just after the Cairo war, the British suspended relations with the French “indefinitely”. But that’s not even the last part. The successful African revolution of Egypt sent shockwaves in the French colonial possessions as did the revolutions of Belize and Jamaica. It showcased the first weakening of the French colonial empire.

1922-1933: a very unstable republic
France during the 1920s was marred by anti-colonial protests, the rise of radicalism and the weakness of French foreign policy. In 1923, the CGT or the General Confederation of Labor mass strikes across France and across the major cities. Despite the fact it was nationwide, it was a failure as only 30,000 Frenchmen joined the strike as the syndicalist movement was weak throughout France. Long story short the strike was crushed and lead to mass arrested, the syndicalist party going underground or fleeing to Germany. Yet, even as the syndicalist movement went underground, syndicalism was still re-emerging by the 1930s. The French during the 20s were very keen on keeping their empire intact, fearful of the rise of Pan-Africanist, African and Indochinese nationalism alike as well. Mass protests were held, predominantly by leftist and socialist supporters in the colonies. But the situation seemed okay, until 1933. But even throughout the 20s, the republic was slowly deteriorating and loosing support predominately to the monarchist and alt-right parties of France. Their constant political action had caused the alt-right parties in France to grow exponentially. When the London Stock Markey crashed, although it didn’t create an economic depression, it did cause fears of economic collapse. The French economy was far from booming and the crash only worsened the situation. Support for anti-colonialism grew in colonial holdings, and the ineffective ruling of the republicans resulted in the unemployed of France being radicalized on both sides.

1933: The Collapse of French Indochina
Unexpectedly, in 1933 in Hanoi, the Republic of Indochina was declared by the Council of Saigon. The council consisted of Vietnamese, Laos, and Cambodian socialists, conservatives and anti-colonialists. This move was a surprise to many, and as a result the French mobilized for war at sea. But it was dangerous and costly. The French were driven out to the sea as the garrisons stationed in the region were in no condition to fight a bloody war. Many were killed or surrendered. But the situation in Indochina changed rapidly. The Siamese invaded Cambodia, a syndicalist revolution swept Laos and Vietnam. But even then the French still could not invade. They couldn’t invade Saigon as it was a costly operation and the first time they did, guerilla tactics forced the French to surrender after they were encircled. The French went for rural lands in central Vietnam but this didn’t do anything as once again the guerrilla forces were ready. When Siam invaded many wanted to push for the French to declare war, but since the French didn’t occupy Cambodia anymore, legally there was nothing they could do. Finally after 2 months of wasting money men and resources the French in Saigon finally accept the status quo, recognizing the new political situation in Indochina.

1933-1936: A change in the political situation
The time period after the French capitulated caused mass political instability and calls for the French leader Léon Blum to resign. Although the situation stabilized it marked a dark period beginning in French history. The republic in many eyes has failed, and a new system needs to be created. The late 20s saw a resurgence of the syndicalist party, who had enough popularity that in 1934 they came out of hiding and began leftist campaigns throughout France. After 1923 the syndicalists lost about 20% of their supporters and went into hiding. But as syndicalism grew again in France thanks to economic turmoil, the London crash and German meddling the syndicalists grew back to pre-1923 numbers by 1934 resulting in them coming out of hiding once again. By 1936, the syndicalists have seen more than 15% surge in support from the French populace. But the monarchists hold more people and power but are concentrated in the more rural regions of France. In the 36 election it is expected that the republicans will be ousted, but who will end up winning the election isn’t known. Not to mention the failure to contain their colonies might also mean a collapse of the French empire abroad